ESCONDIDO: Union vows to continue voting rights fight

Leaders of a powerful labor union vowed Monday to continue contributing to a lawsuit alleging that Escondido's elections violate voting rights laws by discriminating against Latinos.

Vista Superior Court Judge Earl Maas removed the state's Building and Construction Trades Council as a plaintiff in the case Friday because the union couldn't legally be described as a "voter."

But union President Bob Balgenorth said the ruling wouldn't affect the lawsuit, which says the city should switch from at-large elections to having City Council members elected by smaller
districts
. Two Latinos have been elected to the council since the city was founded in 1888.

"We are disappointed with the ruling, but it won't stop us from supporting our workers in Escondido as they continue to seek fair representation on their City Council," Balgenorth said. "We'll still ensure that they have the best attorneys and all the resources they need to wage and win this honorable fight."

The removal of the union leaves five Latino Escondido residents, who are all members of the union, as plaintiffs.

Balgenorth said the rights of its members are a priority for the union.

"Voting rights are a fundamental tenet of democracy, and we are happy to fight to make sure our members' voting rights are protected," he said.